U.S. patent application number 16/412181 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-19 for bulk material shipping container unloader apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is SANDBOX LOGISTICS, LLC. Invention is credited to C. John Allegretti, Matthew Cook, Kevin Sylvester Corrigan.
Application Number | 20200361727 16/412181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004095230 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200361727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allegretti; C. John ; et
al. |
November 19, 2020 |
BULK MATERIAL SHIPPING CONTAINER UNLOADER APPARATUS
Abstract
A bulk material shipping container unloader apparatus having a
plurality of unloaders and shared triple redundant power and
control assembly.
Inventors: |
Allegretti; C. John;
(Barrington Hills, IL) ; Corrigan; Kevin Sylvester;
(Forest Park, IL) ; Cook; Matthew; (Denver,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SANDBOX LOGISTICS, LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004095230 |
Appl. No.: |
16/412181 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 67/24 20130101;
B65G 2201/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 67/24 20060101
B65G067/24 |
Claims
1. A bulk material shipping container unloader apparatus
comprising: a rack; a first bulk material shipping container
unloader supported by the rack; a second bulk material shipping
container unloader supported by the rack and positioned on a first
side of the first bulk material shipping container unloader; a
third bulk material shipping container unloader supported by the
rack and positioned on a second side of the first bulk material
shipping container unloader; and a shared power and control
assembly supported by the rack and including: a frame assembly
supported by the rack; a first electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump; a second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump; a diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump; a filter assembly; a breather
assembly; a recirculation pump assembly; a hydraulic fluid
reservoir; an automatic control assembly; a manual control
assembly; and a plurality of hydraulic fluid communication
lines.
2. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
1, wherein the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump
includes a first electric motor and a first hydraulic fluid pump
fluidly connected by certain of the fluid communication lines to
the hydraulic fluid reservoir, the automatic control assembly, and
the manual control assembly.
3. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
2, wherein the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump is
configured to supply hydraulic fluid to each of a plurality of gate
mover assemblies of the unloaders under selective control of the
automatic control assembly and the manual control assembly.
4. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
3, wherein the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump
includes a second electric motor and a second hydraulic fluid pump
fluidly connected by certain of the fluid communication lines to
the hydraulic fluid reservoir, the automatic control assembly, and
the manual control assembly.
5. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
4, wherein the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump is
configured to supply hydraulic fluid to each of the plurality of
gate mover assemblies of the unloaders under selective control of
the automatic control assembly and the manual control assembly.
6. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
5, wherein the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump includes a
diesel motor and a third hydraulic fluid pump fluidly connected by
certain of the fluid communication lines to the hydraulic fluid
reservoir, the automatic control assembly, and the manual control
assembly.
7. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
6, wherein the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump is configured to
supply hydraulic fluid to each of the plurality of gate mover
assemblies of the unloaders under selective control of the
automatic control assembly and the manual control assembly.
8. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
7, wherein the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump has at least one
of an automatic starting mechanism and a manual starting
mechanism.
9. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
8, wherein the automatic control assembly includes: (1) one or more
automatic controls that control the power to and operation of the
first and second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pumps; (2)
one or more automatic controls that control the operation of the
diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump; and (3) a plurality of
independently controlled openable and closable control valves
fluidly connected to the respective first and second electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pumps and the diesel powered hydraulic
pump.
10. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
9, wherein the automatic control assembly is configured to
independently control operation of the first, second, and third
hydraulic pumps and the opening and closing of each of the
respective gate mover assemblies of the unloaders.
11. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
10, wherein the manual control assembly includes: (1) a first
manually operable valve fluidly connected to a first one of the
gate mover assemblies of a first one of the unloaders to manually
control fluid flow to that gate mover assembly; (2) a second
manually operable valve fluidly connected to a second one of the
gate mover assemblies of a second one of the unloaders to manually
control fluid flow to that gate mover assembly; and (3) a third
manually operable valve fluidly connected to a third one of the
gate mover assemblies of a third one of the unloaders to manually
control fluid flow to that gate mover assembly.
12. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
11, wherein the shared power and control assembly is configured in
a double redundant configuration such that: (1) the first
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump is employable to provide
hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover assembly of the first
unloader, the second gate mover assembly of the second unloader,
and the third gate mover assembly of the third unloader; (2) the
second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump is employable to
provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover assembly of the
first unloader, the second gate mover assembly of the second
unloader, and the third gate mover assembly of the third unloader;
and (3) the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump is employable to
provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover assembly of the
first unloader the second gate mover assembly of the second
unloader, and the third gate mover assembly of the third
unloader.
13. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
12, wherein the shared power and control assembly is configured
such that: (1) if the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump fails, the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump
can be employed; and (2) if the second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump also fails, the diesel powered hydraulic fluid
pump can be employed.
14. The bulk material shipping container unloader assembly of claim
12, wherein the shared power and control assembly is configured
such that: (1) if the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump fails, the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump can
be employed; and (2) if the first electrically powered hydraulic
fluid pump also fails, the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump can
be employed.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Various bulk material shipping containers are known. Such
known material bulk shipping containers, sometimes referred to
herein for brevity as known containers or as known bulk containers,
are used to transport a wide range of products, parts, components,
items, and materials such as, but not limited to, seeds, shavings,
fasteners, and granular materials (such as sand). These are
sometimes called loose materials or materials. New and improved
bulk material shipping containers are continuously being developed.
For example, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0002066,
which is owned by the assignee of the present application and
incorporated herein by reference, discloses relatively new bulk
material shipping containers.
[0002] As these new bulk material shipping containers are
developed, there is a continuing need to develop unloading devices
that can be used for unloading loose materials from these new bulk
material shipping containers. In various uses, certain of these new
bulk material shipping containers need to be supported
substantially above the ground to be unloaded. New and improved
bulk material shipping container unloader apparatus are
continuously being developed. For example, U.S. Published Patent
Application No. 2018/002120, which is owned by the assignee of the
present application and incorporated herein by reference, discloses
relatively new bulk material shipping container unloader
apparatus.
[0003] There is a continuing need for new and improved bulk
material shipping container unloader apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0004] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide bulk
material shipping container unloader apparatus that meets the above
needs. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes multiple
individual material shipping container unloaders that are sometimes
referred to herein for brevity as the unloader(s). In various
embodiments, the multiple bulk material shipping container
unloaders of the apparatus of the present disclosure are adjacently
positioned, connected, employed together, operate together, and are
controlled and powered by integrated shared control and power
systems. In various embodiments of the unloader apparatus of the
present disclosure, the shared control and power systems include a
triple redundant shared power and control assembly as further
described below.
[0005] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description of Exemplary Embodiments and the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front view of the bulk material shipping
container unloader apparatus of one example of the present
disclosure and including three adjacently positioned bulk material
shipping container unloaders of an example embodiment of the
present disclosure supported by a rack of an example embodiment of
the present disclosure, and including a shared power and control
assembly of an example embodiment of the present disclosure and
supported by the rack.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the three bulk material shipping
container unloaders, the rack, and the shared power and control
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the three bulk material
shipping container unloaders, the rack, and the shared power and
control assembly of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the three bulk material
shipping container unloaders, the rack, and the shared power and
control assembly of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of one of the
three bulk material shipping container unloaders, part of the rack,
and the shared power and control assembly of FIG. 1
[0011] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front perspective view of one of the
three bulk material shipping container unloaders, part of the rack,
and the shared power and control assembly of FIG. 1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0012] While the systems, devices, and methods described herein may
be embodied in various forms, the drawings show and the
specification describes certain exemplary and non-limiting
embodiments. Not all of the components shown in the drawings and
described in the specification may be required, and certain
implementations may include additional, different, or fewer
components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the
components; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and
the manners of connections of the components may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise
indicated, any directions referred to in the specification reflect
the orientations of the components shown in the corresponding
drawings and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Further, terms that refer to mounting methods, such as mounted,
connected, etc., are not intended to be limited to direct mounting
methods but should be interpreted broadly to include indirect and
operably mounted, connected, and like mounting methods. This
specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and as
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0013] Referring specifically now to FIGS. 1 to 6, three
co-operating example bulk material shipping container unloaders of
the bulk material shipping container unloader apparatus 1000 of the
present disclosure are illustrated adjacent to each other and
respectively indicated by numerals 2000, 3000, and 4000. As
mentioned above, for brevity, the bulk material shipping container
unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 are often referred to herein as
unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000.
[0014] These unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 of the unloader
apparatus 1000 each include various components of the bulk material
container unloaders described in U.S. Patent Publication No.
2018/002120 which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be
appreciated that various components of the unloaders 2000, 3000,
and 4000 are not described herein or not described herein in any
detail because such components are described in detail in that
patent application.
[0015] As best shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the example unloaders 2000,
3000, and 4000 of the unloader apparatus 1000 are configured to
adjacently (or side by side) rest on and be supported by a rack
5000 of the unloader apparatus 1000. It should be appreciated that
the rack 5000 can be employed with one or more unloaders of the
present disclosure or other suitable unloaders. It should be
appreciated that the rack may include certain components that are
described in more detail in U.S. Published Patent Application
2018/002120.
[0016] The three example bulk material shipping container unloaders
2000, 3000, and 4000 of the unloader apparatus 1000 are configured
to respectively support three of the same or identical bulk
material shipping containers (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 6). It should
be appreciated that the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 are each
configured to support a shipping container that includes a
compartment having a bottom portion with a selectively openable and
closeable material unloading assembly, and specifically where: (i)
such material unloading assembly includes a gate or closure member
with a downwardly extending handle or engagement member; and (ii)
the gate is movable or slidable from a closed position to a
plurality of different partially open positions, then to a fully
open position, and then back to the closed position as described in
U.S. Published Patent Application 2018/002120. The unloaders 2000,
3000, and 4000 of the unloader apparatus 1000 are configured to
operate, under the control of a shared power and control assembly
6000 of the unloader apparatus, individually and together to open
and close the respective gates of the respective material unloading
assemblies of the containers respectively positioned on the
unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000 and direct loose materials (such as
sand) stored in such containers to a common material receiver (not
shown) such as a material blender (not shown) positioned at a
retrieval location under the centrally positioned unloader 3000 as
generally shown in U.S. Published Patent Application
2018/002120.
[0017] In this illustrated example embodiment, the shared power and
control assembly 6000 includes: (1) a frame assembly 6100; (2) a
first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200; (3) a second
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6300; (4) a diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400; (5) a filter assembly 6500 and a
breather assembly 6550; (6) a recirculation pump assembly 6600; (7)
a hydraulic fluid reservoir 6700; (8) an automatic control assembly
6800; (9) a manual control assembly 6900; (10) a plurality of
hydraulic fluid communication lines 7000 (not individually
labeled); and (11) suitable values, connectors, etc. (not all shown
or labeled) for connecting such components.
[0018] In this illustrated example embodiment, the frame assembly
6100 includes a suitable support 6120 that rests on, is supported
by, and may be suitably attached to the rack 5000. The support 6120
is configured to support the first electrically powered hydraulic
fluid pump 6200, the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6300, the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400, and
various other components of the power and control assembly 6000.
The frame assembly 6100 also includes a shelf assembly 6140
suitably connected to and extending upwardly from the support 6120.
The shelf assembly is configured to support the filter assembly
6500, the breather assembly 6550, the recirculation pump assembly
6600, the hydraulic fluid reservoir 6700, the manual control
assembly 6900, and one or more other components of the power and
control assembly 6000. The frame assembly 6100 is made from steel
in this example embodiment; however, it should be appreciated that
the frame assembly can be made from other suitable materials in
accordance with the present disclosure. It should also be
appreciated that the frame assembly may be otherwise suitably
configured in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0019] In this illustrated example embodiment, the first
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200 includes a suitable
first electric motor (not labeled), a suitable first hydraulic
fluid pump (not labeled), and various related components (not
labeled) for the connection and operation thereof which will be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art and thus not
described herein. The first electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6200 is suitably securely mounted to the support 6100 of the
frame assembly 6200. The first electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6200 is suitably fluidly connected by certain of the fluid
communication lines to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 6700, the
automatic control assembly 6800, and the manual control assembly
6900. The first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200 is
suitably configured to selectively supply hydraulic fluid to each
of the respective gate mover assemblies of the unloaders 2000,
3000, and 4000 under the selective control of the automatic control
assembly 6800 and the manual control assembly 6900.
[0020] In this illustrated example embodiment, the second
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6300 also includes a
suitable second electric motor (not labeled), a suitable second
hydraulic fluid pump (not labeled), and various related components
(not labeled) for the connection and operation thereof which will
be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art and thus not
described herein. The second electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6300 is suitably securely mounted to the support 6100 of the
frame assembly 6200. The second electrically powered hydraulic
fluid pump 6300 is suitably fluidly connected by certain of the
fluid communication lines to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 6700,
the automatic control assembly 6800, and the manual control
assembly 6900. The second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump
6300 is suitably configured to selectively supply hydraulic fluid
to each of the respective gate mover assemblies of the unloaders
2000, 3000, and 4000 under the selective control of the automatic
control assembly 6800 and the manual control assembly 6900.
[0021] In this illustrated example embodiment, the diesel powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6400 includes a suitable diesel motor (not
labeled), a suitable third hydraulic fluid pump (not labeled), and
various related components (not labeled) for the connection and
operation thereof which will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art and thus not described herein. The diesel powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6400 is suitably securely mounted to the
support 6100 of the frame assembly 6200. The diesel powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6400 is suitably fluidly connected by certain
of the fluid communication lines to the hydraulic fluid reservoir
6700, the automatic control assembly 6800, and the manual control
assembly 6900. The diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400 is
suitably configured to selectively supply hydraulic fluid to each
of the respective gate mover assemblies of the unloaders 2000,
3000, and 4000 under the selective control of the automatic control
assembly 6800 and the manual control assembly 6900. In various
embodiments, the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump has an
automatic starting mechanism and/or a manual starting
mechanism.
[0022] In this illustrated example embodiment, the filter assembly
6500 includes one or more suitable replaceable filters (not shown
or labeled) configured to filter or clean the hydraulic fluid. The
filter assembly 6500 is suitably connected to the fluid reservoir
6700.
[0023] In this illustrated example embodiment, the breather
assembly 6550 is configured to control the intake and output of air
for the fluid reservoir 6700. In various embodiments, the breather
assembly enables air to enter and exit the fluid reservoir and the
fluid level falls and rises, and as the cylinders are closed and
opened. The breather assembly 6550 is suitably connected to the
fluid reservoir 6700.
[0024] In this illustrated example embodiment, the recirculation
pump assembly 6600 includes one or more recirculation pumps (not
shown or individually labeled). The recirculation pump assembly
6600 is suitably connected to the fluid reservoir 6700.
[0025] In this illustrated example embodiment, the hydraulic fluid
reservoir 6700 includes one or more tanks (not shown or labeled)
configured to hold hydraulic fluid and multiple fluid connection
line and valves (not shown or labeled) suitably connected to the
tank(s).
[0026] In this illustrated example embodiment, the automatic
control assembly 6800 includes: (1) one or more automatic controls
that control the power to and operation of the first and second
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pumps 6200 and 6300; (2) one
or more automatic controls that control the operation of the diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400; and (3) a plurality of
independently controlled openable and closable control valves
fluidly connected to the respective first and second electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pumps 6200 and 6300, as well as the diesel
powered hydraulic pump 6400. The automatic control assembly 6800 is
configured to independently selectively control the operation of
these hydraulic pumps and the opening and closing of each of the
respective gate mover assemblies of the unloaders 2000, 3000, and
4000.
[0027] In this illustrated example embodiment, the manual control
assembly 6900 includes: (1) a first manually operable valve (not
labeled) fluidly connected to the first gate mover assembly of the
unloader 2000 to manually control fluid flow to that gate mover
assembly; (2) a second manually operable valve (not labeled)
fluidly connected to the second gate mover assembly of the unloader
3000 to manually control fluid flow to that gate mover assembly;
and (3) a third manually operable valve (not labeled) fluidly
connected to the gate mover assembly of the unloader 4000 to
manually control fluid flow to that gate mover assembly. These
valves are manually operable in case automatic or remote control of
the hydraulic system is lost. In alternative embodiments, the
manual control assembly can include: (1) a manually operable valve
(not shown or labeled) fluidly connected to the first electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200; (2) a manually operable valve
(not shown or labeled) fluidly connected to the first electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6300; and (3) a manually operable
valve (not shown or labeled) fluidly connected to the diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400, all for controlling fluid flow
from such pumps.
[0028] It should be appreciated that the plurality of hydraulic
fluid communication lines 7000, and the plurality of suitable
values, connectors, etc. are suitably connected to facilitate
operation of the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump
6200, the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6300,
the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400, the filter assembly
6500, the breather assembly 6550, the recirculation pump assembly
6600, the hydraulic fluid reservoir 6700, the automatic control
assembly 6800, and the manual control assembly 6900.
[0029] In this illustrated example embodiment, the power and
control assembly 6000 including the first electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6200, the second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6300, the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump
6400, the filter assembly 6500, the breather assembly 6550, the
recirculation pump assembly 6600, the hydraulic fluid reservoir
6700, the automatic control assembly 6800, the manual control
assembly 6900, the plurality of hydraulic fluid communication lines
7000, and the values, connectors, etc. are arranged in a double
redundant configuration such that: (1) the first electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200 can be selectively employed to
provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover assembly of the
unloader 2000, the second gate mover assembly of the unloader 3000,
and the third gate mover assembly of the unloader 4000; (2) the
second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6300 can be
selectively employed to provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate
mover assembly of the unloader 2000, the second gate mover assembly
of the unloader 3000, and the third gate mover assembly of the
unloader 4000; and (3) the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump 6400
can be selectively employed to provide hydraulic fluid to the first
gate mover assembly of the unloader 2000, the second gate mover
assembly of the unloader 3000, and the third gate mover assembly of
the unloader 4000. In this illustrated example embodiment, the
power and control assembly 6000 can be configured such that: (1) if
the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200 fails, the
second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump 6300 can be
employed; and (2) if the second electrically powered hydraulic
fluid pump 6200 also fails, the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump
6400 can be employed. Alternatively, in this illustrated example
embodiment, the power and control assembly 6000 can be configured
such that: (1) if the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6300 fails, the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6200 can be employed; and (2) if the first electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pump 6200 also fails, the diesel powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6400 can be employed. It should be appreciated
from the above this this double redundant system is thus unlikely
to suffer a complete failure such that the gate mover assemblies of
the unloaders cannot be operated.
[0030] It should be appreciated that in various embodiments, the
gate mover assembly of each of the unloaders 2000, 3000, and 4000
includes the first and second hydraulic pistons.
[0031] It should be appreciated that power and control assembly
6000 can include one or more indicators such as lights (not shown)
that indicate the positions of each of the gate mover assemblies
and thus the positions of the gates of the containers positioned on
such unloaders.
[0032] It should be appreciated that the first electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6200, the second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump 6300, and the diesel powered hydraulic fluid
pump 6400 can be configured for automatic testing on a regular
basis such as weekly or monthly.
[0033] Thus, in various embodiments, the present disclosure
provides a bulk material shipping container unloader apparatus
including: a rack; a first bulk material shipping container
unloader supported by the rack; a second bulk material shipping
container unloader supported by the rack and positioned on a first
side of the first bulk material shipping container unloader; a
third bulk material shipping container unloader supported by the
rack and positioned on a second side of the first bulk material
shipping container unloader; and a shared power and control
assembly supported by the rack. In various such embodiments, the
shared power and control assembly includes: a frame assembly
supported by the rack; a first electrically powered hydraulic fluid
pump; a second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump; a diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump; a filter assembly; a breather
assembly; a recirculation pump assembly; a hydraulic fluid
reservoir; an automatic control assembly; a manual control
assembly; and a plurality of hydraulic fluid communication
lines.
[0034] In various such embodiments, the first electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump includes a first electric motor and a first
hydraulic fluid pump fluidly connected by certain of the fluid
communication lines to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, the automatic
control assembly, and the manual control assembly.
[0035] In various such embodiments, the first electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump is configured to supply hydraulic fluid to
each of a plurality of gate mover assemblies of the unloaders under
selective control of the automatic control assembly and the manual
control assembly.
[0036] In various such embodiments, the second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump includes a second electric motor and a second
hydraulic fluid pump fluidly connected by certain of the fluid
communication lines to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, the automatic
control assembly, and the manual control assembly.
[0037] In various such embodiments, the second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump is configured to supply hydraulic fluid to
each of the plurality of gate mover assemblies of the unloaders
under selective control of the automatic control assembly and the
manual control assembly.
[0038] In various such embodiments, the diesel powered hydraulic
fluid pump includes a diesel motor and a third hydraulic fluid pump
fluidly connected by certain of the fluid communication lines to
the hydraulic fluid reservoir, the automatic control assembly, and
the manual control assembly.
[0039] In various such embodiments, the diesel powered hydraulic
fluid pump is configured to supply hydraulic fluid to each of the
plurality of gate mover assemblies of the unloaders under selective
control of the automatic control assembly and the manual control
assembly.
[0040] In various such embodiments, the diesel powered hydraulic
fluid pump has at least one of an automatic starting mechanism and
a manual starting mechanism.
[0041] In various such embodiments, the automatic control assembly
includes: (1) one or more automatic controls that control the power
to and operation of the first and second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pumps; (2) one or more automatic controls that
control the operation of the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump;
and (3) a plurality of independently controlled openable and
closable control valves fluidly connected to the respective first
and second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pumps and the
diesel powered hydraulic pump.
[0042] In various such embodiments, the automatic control assembly
is configured to independently control operation of the first,
second, and third hydraulic pumps and the opening and closing of
each of the respective gate mover assemblies of the unloaders.
[0043] In various such embodiments, the manual control assembly
includes: (1) a first manually operable valve fluidly connected to
a first one of the gate mover assemblies of a first one of the
unloaders to manually control fluid flow to that gate mover
assembly; (2) a second manually operable valve fluidly connected to
a second one of the gate mover assemblies of a second one of the
unloaders to manually control fluid flow to that gate mover
assembly; and (3) a third manually operable valve fluidly connected
to a third one of the gate mover assemblies of a third one of the
unloaders to manually control fluid flow to that gate mover
assembly.
[0044] In various such embodiments, the shared power and control
assembly is configured in a double redundant configuration such
that: (1) the first electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump is
employable to provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover
assembly of the first unloader, the second gate mover assembly of
the second unloader, and the third gate mover assembly of the third
unloader; (2) the second electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump
is employable to provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover
assembly of the first unloader, the second gate mover assembly of
the second unloader, and the third gate mover assembly of the third
unloader; and (3) the diesel powered hydraulic fluid pump is
employable to provide hydraulic fluid to the first gate mover
assembly of the first unloader the second gate mover assembly of
the second unloader, and the third gate mover assembly of the third
unloader.
[0045] In various such embodiments, the shared power and control
assembly is configured such that: (1) if the first electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pump fails, the second electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump can be employed; and (2) if the second
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump also fails, the diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump can be employed.
[0046] In various such embodiments, the shared power and control
assembly is configured such that: (1) if the second electrically
powered hydraulic fluid pump fails, the first electrically powered
hydraulic fluid pump can be employed; and (2) if the first
electrically powered hydraulic fluid pump also fails, the diesel
powered hydraulic fluid pump can be employed.
[0047] It should be understood that modifications and variations
may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel
concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be understood
that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *